Poke-hole cover



March 1 1927.

M. C. BLEST POKE HOLE COVER Filed Feb.' 28. 1924 cover 4 extends Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MINOT C. BLEST, OF BELLEVOE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO PRESSED STEEL CAR COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

POKE-HOLE COVER.

Application filed February 28, 1924, Serial No. 695,636.

This invention relates to dump carsand more particularly to that type of car known as ore cars, and in the sides and floors of which there are openings formed, known as poke holes, through which a bar may be.

inserted when it is desired to loosen any lading which may adhere tosuch sidesand floor, and has for an object the provision of a poke hole cover for such opening which is of simple construction, efficient in preventing lading from dropping through the openings and is easily operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a poke'hole cover which will automatically lock itself in its proper position to close the poke hole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a poke hole cover which when in locked position may be unlocked by sliding it upwardly relative to the part of the car on which it is mounted.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts, Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of an ore car embodying the invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged view looking down on the poke hole cover of a portion of the same, Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a side view of the same.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 1 indicates the car body which may be of any suitable type or construction. The car illustrated in the drawing is of the ore car type having a vertically disposed side wall, and inwardly sloping side floor 2, which are suitably secured together. The side wall and side floor of the car, as well as any other parts forming the load carrying part of the car, (not shown in the drawing) may have formed therein as many poke holes 3 as desired, which holes, to prevent lading from falling therethrough, are provided with covers 4. Below each of the poke holes, a support 5 is provided, having a base portion 6 which is secured to the car body, which portion has outwardly extending spaced lugs 7, which have formed therein transverse openings for the reception of a bolt or pin 8. Between the lugs 7, the base portion is provided with a raised surface 9, the use of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The lower portion 10 of the poke hole between the lugs 7 and is. rotatably mounted on'the bolt 8, there belng a slot 11 formed in this portion of the cover to permit upward and downward movement of the cover relative to the pin 8., as well as a slight rotary movement at the same time. The upper portion 12' of the cover is adapted to close the opening 3, and is preferably so formed that the portion 13 will extend into the openingv 3, i. e., will extendeinwardly beyond the outside plane of the car. part in which the opening is formed, when the cover is in closed position.

hen the cover is in closed position, the lower portion of the cover, below the. bolt 8, will engage the raised surface!) and such engagement will prevent rotary movement of the cover, thus looking it in closed position.

Assuming the cover to be in closed position as shown 111 full lines in Flgs. 1 to t inclusive, and it is desired to open it,'the

operator moves .the cover upwardly, and as hedoes, the relation of the lower portion of the cover and the raised surface 9, will be slightly changed, so that a slight rotary movement will, at the same time, be permitted, which will permit the cover to be moved to the position as shown in dot and dash lines in the upper portion of Fig. 4. A continued upward movement will cause the lower portion of the cover to move entirely free of the raised portion 9, and when so raised, the cover'will drop by gravity to its normal open position, as indicated by the reference character 14 in Fig. 4. To close the poke hole 3, the cover is rotated upwardly, and when the upper portion has moved to a predetermined position above the bolt 8, it will move downwardly automatically due to its weight, which downward movement'will cause the lower portion of the cover to move into close engagement with the raised surface 9 of the support, and at the same time the upper portion will close the opening 3, thus automatically looking the cover in its closed position. I

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that changes may be made in the details of the several parts forming the invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a car body having a poke hole formed therein, a bracket mounted on said body adjacent said poke hole, a cover for said poke hole rotatably and slidably connected with said bracket, and means on said bracket adjacent the connection between the bracket and cover adapted to be engaged by said cover to lock said cover in closed position.

2. The combination with a car body having a poke hole formed therein, a bracket mounted on said body adjacent said opening, lugs on said bracket, a transverse member extending between said lugs, a cover for said 'poke hole rotatably and slidably mounted on said transverse member, and means adjacent said lugs adapted to be engaged by said cover to lock said cover in its closed position.

3. The combination with a car body having a poke hole formed therein, of a bracket mounted on said body adjacent said opening, lugs on said bracket, a raised portion on said bracket between said lugs, a

7 cover for said poke hole mounted on said lugs, said cover being movable into engagecment with said raised portion to lock said cover in closed position and movable out of engagement to unlock it. a

4-. The combination with a car body hav ing a poke hole formed therein, of a cover for opening and closing said hole, a bracket on said car, said cover being rotatably and slidably mounted on said bracket, and means on said bracket below said poke hole adapted to be engaged by said cover to lock said cover in itsclosed position,

5. The combination with a car body having a poke hole formed therein, a bracket secured to said body below said poke hole, spaced lugs on said ln'acket, a cover for opening and closing said hole, said cover being slidably and pivotally connected with said lugs, and a raised portion on said bracket between said lugs, said cover being slidable into and out of cooperative engagement with said raised portion.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

' MINOT C. BLEST. 

